Russia rejects UN chief Guterres as serious mediator in Ukraine conflict

Russia does not regard UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov said. He did not give the reasons for Moscow's position toward the UN chief.

“We do not consider him, in principle, and have not considered him, to be any kind of serious mediator,” Alimov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sharply criticised António Guterres's work. According to the diplomat, the head of the international organisation has taken a biased position, RIA Novosti reported.

“Unfortunately, the current secretary-general, whom I have known very well and for a long time, who has worked extensively within the UN system, does not meet these requirements and is openly playing along with the West, including on the Ukrainian issue,” the minister said.

Moscow insists that the future head of the organisation must strictly comply with the UN Charter. The Russian side expects the new secretary-general to categorically reject taking instructions from any member state.

At the same time, the foreign minister stressed that Russia is ready to support a woman for the top post. He said Russia has absolutely no objection to female leadership of this or any other international organisation.

Ukraine will be one of the key topics during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, which begins on September 22. Current UN Secretary-General António Guterres will step down at the end of 2026 after serving two consecutive five-year terms. Eight candidates are vying to succeed him. Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan led the latest secret preliminary vote.

By Tamilla Hasanova